Great book . . . assuming you read it and implement it into your life!

August 25, 2014

Doug

Quality:5

Value:5

Meets Expectations:5

David "danced before the Lord with all his might."

Isaiah, cried out Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips . . . and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.

Moses and Miriam sang "I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted" after crossing the Red Sea.

A sinful woman "stood behind Jesus at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them."

These are only four responses of the various forms of worship found in the Bible. From raising hands to falling on our knees, there are dozens of postures, attitudes, and actions that can be used to praise God. Calhoun does a great job briefly outlining (2-3 pages) over 60 spiritual disciplines. Some of them are more familiar (intercessory prayer, fasting, journaling) while others are more uncommon (breathe prayer, Solitude, Labyrinth Prayer). Yet while they are quite different, they each can help Christians come to know and experience their Creator on a deeper level.

It is true, in attempting to cover as many disciplines as possible Calhoun has described some unique ones for sure; but to suggest that this book is "promoting occultism" is absurd. Hindus have not "cornered the market" on meditation . . . the Psalmists speak often of meditating to God! Just because a person didn't grow up practicing some of these disciplines doesnt make the book Gnostic.

I've read this book several times, taught from it, and consulted it as I have attempted to find different ways to honor and glorify God. Again, it's not deeply theological or overly profound, but it does a great job of introducing spiritual disciplines, explaining why they are important, and even offering suggestions on how to model them.

I do have a word of caution: the purpose of spiritual disciplines is not because you are trying to "repay" God, or because you think He will then owe you (i.e. If I fast for 7 days then God will give me the job I want). They are an opportunity to come to know Him more fully, and to prepare you for His plan (not to convince Him to follow yours). Calhoun addresses this in her introduction.

Yet another pop christian publication promoting occultism. You can't take occult practices like Hindu yoga breathwork, Trancendental Meditation, and Anciet Greek occult labyrinths, and just paint them over with Christian-sounding terminology to make them acceptable. What's next: "Christian" Ouija-boards? These types of Gnostic teachings have been infiltrating the church since the beginning. Don't be deceived.

This book was recommended to me by a friend...I would pass this recommendation on to others. What I have read so far of the devotions and practices is good. Obviously inspired by the Holy Spirit for today's disciples.

I hear all the time, well what should I do to get more intimate with the Holy Spirit/Jesus/God? I tell people, pray, read your Bible, and if you don't know what to do fast until He speaks to you. But for most Christians, these practices wear out quickly and don't seem to have the same excitement they once had (repent! :)) I thank the authors of this book and God for providing so many different ways that One can connect to Him to really work out all the sins/ungodly habits along the way and chip them off the block to be more like Him(Jesus).

I highly recommend this book if you are looking to come into a deeper/holier/more intimate relationship with God. There is no reason to spend your life missing out on the best God has in store for you! Nothing on earth compares to Him and this book has TONS of amazing ways to draw closer to God.